Free Exhibition Opening Cities for People
The city shapes how we live, move, meet, and connect. But how do urban spaces affect our well-being and sense of belonging? And how can architecture create better cities for people? Explore it in Cities for People, opening on World Architecture Day.
Time

On October 5, Danish Architecture Center opens Cities for People – a new exhibition exploring how the design of our cities shapes the way we move, meet, feel healthy, and experience a sense of belonging, often without us even noticing.
The exhibition draws on Jan and Ingrid Gehl’s people-centered approach to cities and on the Gehl Studio’s work in cities around the world. Through real-life examples, discover how streets, squares, and other public spaces can make room for urban life, movement, community, and diversity when we start with the people who use them.
In the 1960s, Jan and Ingrid Gehl helped shift the focus from the city viewed from above to life between buildings and the way people experience the city. These ideas were presented in Jan Gehl’s groundbreaking book Life Between Buildings in 1971 and have since been developed and put into practice in cities around the world.
Join us for the opening
We’re celebrating with an evening where the big city comes to DAC. Explore the exhibition, meet some familiar characters from city life, have your caricature portrait drawn, catch a mime performance and dragshow, and end the evening with, dinner, DJ and views across Copenhagen from DACs rooftop café.
Opening speeches will be given by Stine Lea Jacobi, Director of Philanthropy at Realdania, Helle Søholt, Founding Partner and Chair of the Board at Gehl Studio, and Kent Martinussen, CEO of Danish Architecture Center.
And the best part? Admission to DAC is free all day in celebration of World Architecture Day.
Program
5:00 PM: Let the celebration begin! DAC is serving free beer, juice, and cider
5:00–9:00 PM: Activities on Bryghuspladsen
5:00–9:00 PM: Have your portrait drawn by caricature artist DagmarStudio
5:00–9:00 PM: Meet the Golden Mime, bringing the energy of the city streets to life
5:15 PM: Opening speeches by Stine Lea Jacobi, Director of Philanthropy at Realdania, Helle Søholt, Founding Partner and Chair of the Board at Gehl, and Kent Martinussen, CEO of DAC
6:00–7:00 PM: AfterDAC TALK on communities in the city with Mizz Privileze & dragshow
6:00–9:00 PM: DJ and dinner at DAC Café on top of BLOX
9:00 PM: Thanks for joining us! DAC closes
Free admission all day
We’re celebrating World Architecture Day with free admission to DAC and experiences for kids and adults from morning to night. See the full program here.
Exhibitions this day
Also on this day
World Architecture Day
Celebrate World Architecture Day at DAC! This year, we’re celebrating with exciting activities and the opening of our major new exhibition, Cities for People. Join us for an eventful day for all ages, with free admission from 10:00–21:00.

Special Guided Tour: Meet an Architect in So Danish!
Join a special guided tour, meet an architect face-to-face, and discover Danish architecture through the eyes of those who have helped shape it.

DJ at DAC Rooftop Café
DJ lounge vibes and one of the best views in Copenhagen from DAC Rooftop Café. Celebrate World Architecture Day at DAC with free admission all day.

Guided Gallery Tour of Our New Exhibition on World Architecture Day in English
Join a free guided tour of our brand-new exhibition Cities for People and discover the city from new perspectives. Our exhibition hosts will guide you through the exhibition and explore the ideas that have helped transform cities around the world.

Similar events
International Talk: Architects not Architecture
Join us when Architects not Architecture (AnA) comes to the Danish Architecture Center with three leading voices from the international architecture scene: Gabriela Carrillo, Helle Søholt, and Greta Tiedje.

World Architecture Day
Celebrate World Architecture Day at DAC! This year, we’re celebrating with exciting activities and the opening of our major new exhibition, Cities for People. Join us for an eventful day for all ages, with free admission from 10:00–21:00.

DJ at DAC Rooftop Café
DJ lounge vibes and one of the best views in Copenhagen from DAC Rooftop Café. Celebrate World Architecture Day at DAC with free admission all day.

Culture Night at DAC
Culture Night 2026 is going to be something special at the Danish Architecture Center. Come explore the city and everything that brings it to life – dance the night away on our rooftop, unleash your creativity in our workshops, and gather around the bonfire with the whole family in front of DAC.

Light Installation: City Life, City Light
On Culture Night, experience the interactive light installation City Life City Light at Bryghuspladsen, right outside the entrance to DAC.

Cozy Bonfires and Roasted Marshmallows
Join us for Culture Night and gather around the cozy fire pits at Bryghuspladsen in front of Danish Architecture Center.

Silent Disco
Come dance the night away at DAC’s Silent Disco on the rooftop, with views across the city’s rooftops and Copenhagen harbor. If it rains or gets too windy, we’ll move inside and keep dancing.

